Students eligible for refund on TV licence

AS Banbridge students buckle down for exams, TV Licensing is offering some good news in that those moving home for the summer might be able to claim a refund on their TV Licence.

To be eligible, students need to have a TV licence, be leaving their halls or rented accommodation in universities and colleges and moving back home to a licensed address.

Any student who purchased a TV Licence at the start of the academic year will have a full three months remaining on their licence. This means they can now claim a refund for the final ‘unused’ quarter.

Spokesperson for TV Licensing, Deborah King, explained, “With students in the middle of exams and starting to think about plans for the summer, the refund is fantastic news. It is also vital students understand the law when it comes to watching or streaming live TV or they risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.”

Recent research by TV Licensing showed three out of five students watch at least an hour of television a day and 71 per cent use their laptop to watch favourite programmes.

A TV Licence is needed to watch, record or stream programmes at the same time as they are shown on television and this is the case whether you use a TV, laptop, games console, tablet, mobile phone or any other device.

Phil Davis, Chair of the National Association of Student Money Advisers (NASMA), added, “The summer is a great opportunity for students to repair their bank balances and it’s important they use every opportunity to do so. Getting a refund on the unused three months of a TV Licence is a really easy step to take.”

To arrange a refund or for further information, visit: www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo or call TV Licensing on 0300 790 6090.